11 February 2025, Apia Samoa - For most Pacific countries, the influx of non-biodegradable plastic products and challenging waste types, combined with inadequate waste management systems, continue to endanger fragile ecosystems and the natural environment.
Due to the limited availability of suitable technologies for effective waste management, landfilling has become one of the most practical methods for waste disposal, especially for countries with sufficient land mass.
Since the early 2000s, Pacific countries like Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu, adopted the *Fukuoka method, and have continued to work with experts made available through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to transform what were previously open dumpsites into semi-aerobic landfills.
More than twenty years down the line, and with many obstacles that have surfaced since, the need to revisit the fundamentals of waste management, re-examine the current status of final disposal sites with a view on reconstructing the future direction for sustainable landfill systems, are amongst the key objectives of week-long regional workshop being held in Samoa this week.
The Regional Workshop on Sustainable Landfill System in the Pacific Island Countries, organised and facilitated by the Japanese Technical Cooperation Project for Promotion of Regional Initiative on Solid Waste Management in Pacific Island Countries Phase 3 (JPRISM3), has brought together participants from across the Pacific. The workshop, held at the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) at Vailima, with site visits planned across Upolu and Savai’i for the rest of the week, opened on Monday.
The Assistant CEO of Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Ms Fuimaono Katenia Rasch, who opened the workshop vouched for the benefits of the Fukuoka method and said this type of waste disposal mechanism remains Samoa’s favourable method of waste facility. However, she also pointed out that Samoa is open to new ideas and methods.
“We must address the many challenges faced with the maintenance and operation of such facilities, such as technical and financial difficulties,” said Ms Rasch. “We recognise the instrumental support of JICA, towards advancing waste management efforts of the Pacific region. We also acknowledge the ongoing technical assistance from the JPRISM 3 project team for this valuable initiative, to help us improve our landfills.”
She added: “Sharing knowledge and learning from experiences across the Pacific is crucial for our landfill maintenance and operations, and we look forward to learning from our regional colleagues in the coming days.”
Japan’s Ambassador to Samoa, His Excellency Suzuki Ryotaro, said his country is pleased to have worked alongside several Pacific nations to address environmental challenges related to waste management. However, the need to maintain and sustain those good practises is critical.
“Many landfills will revert to open dumps without proper care. We must find ways to cope with technical, financial, and institutional challenges facing us, to sustainably maintain and manage those landfills,” said His Excellency Suzuki.
“Without proper final disposal sites, waste accumulation leads to open burning, leachate spills, and health hazards. Japan remains committed to supporting the region’s waste management efforts. Let’s work together for our environment, our communities, and future generations.”
SPREP’s Director of Waste Management and Pollution Control (WMPC), Mr Anthony Talouli, welcomes the commitment from Japan.
“Landfill system are an essential part of the waste management system, an essential part of the waste hierarchy, and an essential part of applying circular solutions. Everything is or becomes waste,” said Mr Taoluli.
“This is an opportunity to increase our capacity, your capacity, and put in measures for sustainable management of landfill. Especially from the many experts around the room from Japan as well as from around the region.”
Mr Talouli noted that the priority of landfill management is aligned with global and regional initiatives such as the 2050 Strategy, Noumea and Waigani Convention, SPREP Strategy and the Cleaner Pacific 2025.
*The Fukuoka method is a final waste disposal site mainly composed of a gas ventilation system, leachate collection, filtration and treatment systems, rainwater collection and drainage system, and groundwater collection and discharge system.
In this method, a leachate collection and discharge system consisting of stone rubble and perforated pipes is installed at the bottom of the landfill, so leachate in the waste layers is promptly drained to the leachate treatment system, and thermal convection occurs due to fermentation heat generated by decomposition of waste inside the layers.